Skate boot

ABSTRACT

A method of making a lasted skate boot comprising providing a pre-cut sheet of thermoformable synthetic material; and thermoforming the sheet of synthetic thermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising a heel counter for receiving the heel of the foot; an ankle portion for receiving the ankle; and medial and lateral quarters for receiving the medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial and lateral quarters extending forwardly from the heel counter and the ankle portion. The ankle portion is thermoformed such that it comprises an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel counter, the upper part following the upper part of the Achilles tendon and the lower part following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/202,868 filed on Jul. 26, 2002, the content ofwhich is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lasted skate boot for ice skates or in-lineroller skates comprising an upper having a thermoformed outer shell andan inner lining mounted inside the outer shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical skate boots are fabricated by assembling together previouslydie-cut pieces of textile material and shaping them over a last. Variouspieces of textiles or fabrics are cut to specific patterns, which arethen pre-assembled by stitching or gluing or both into a multi-layerconstruction. The rigidity and flexibility characteristics of the skateboot are defined by the various layers of materials being positioned andlayered in specific regions of the pre-assembled component of the skateboot. The accumulation of pieces of material into layers and themechanical properties of each piece of textile or fabric material definethe overall dynamic behavior of the skate boot. Usually, thepre-assembled component further includes rigid components generally madeof plastic to increase the rigidity of specific area of the skate boot.The pre-assembled boot generally consists of the back and sides of theskate boot and a toe cap and tongue assembly. The pre-assembled boot hasthe general configuration of the finished product but has not yet beenshaped to the final form of the skate boot.

The pre-assembled component is positioned over a last and formed toobtain the shape of the desired finished product. A last is athree-dimensional shape of the inside cavity of a boot. Thepre-assembled boot may be mounted upside down onto the last for ease ofmanipulation and assembly of the remaining components making up theskate boot.

An insole is placed on the top part of the upside down last and thepre-assembled boot is stretched over the last and over the insole inorder for the pre-assembled boot to conform to the specific shape of thelast. The stretched material is then glued and nailed or tacked to theinsole to maintain the desired shape.

Once the upper part of the skate boot is completed, a rigid outsole issecured to the insole of the boot to complete the skate boot. An iceskate blade holder or an in-line roller chassis is finally mounted tothe bottom of the boot to complete the skate.

This type of process is extensively used in the shoemaking industry. Itgenerates a good product but has some disadvantages. For instance, thenumber of parts involved in the multi-layer construction can bestaggering; a conventional ice skate for hockey may have up to eightyparts to be assembled and shaped over the last. As a consequence, themanufacturing process is lengthy and complex.

There is a need in the industry for a skate boot made of fewercomponents than the traditionally made skate boot and which is lighterthan the traditionally made skate boot.

There is also a need for a skate boot, which provides flexibility anddurability as well as optimal performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention seeks to providea lasted skate boot comprising an upper for enclosing a human foot, thefoot having a heel, an Achilles tendon having an upper part and a lowerpart that projects outwardly with relation to the upper part, the lowerpart merging with the heel, the foot also comprising an ankle with amedial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantar surface, medial andlateral sides and toes; said skate boot comprising an outer shell madeof a thermoformable synthetic pre-cut sheet that is thermoformed in athree dimensional shape such that said outer shell comprises: (a) a heelcounter for receiving the heel of the foot; (b) medial and lateralquarters for receiving the medial and lateral sides of the footrespectively, said medial and lateral quarters extending forwardly fromsaid heel counter and said ankle portion; and (c) an ankle portion forreceiving the ankle, said ankle portion comprising an upper part shapedfor following the upper part of the Achilles tendon and a lower partshaped for following the lower part of the Achilles tendon, said lowerpart projecting outwardly with relation to said upper part and mergingwith said heel counter.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also seeks toprovide a method of making a lasted skate boot comprising an upper forenclosing a human foot, the foot having a heel, an Achilles tendonhaving an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly withrelation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, thefoot also comprising an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateralmalleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, themethod comprising: (a) providing a pre-cut sheet of thermoformablesynthetic material; and (b) thermoforming the sheet of syntheticthermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heelcounter for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion forreceiving the ankle; and (iii) medial and lateral quarters for receivingthe medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, the medial andlateral quarters extending forwardly from the heel counter and the ankleportion; wherein the ankle portion is thermoformed such that itcomprises an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly withrelation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heelcounter, the upper part following the upper part of the Achilles tendonand the lower part following the lower part of the Achilles tendon.

Advantageously, the ankle portion of the outer shell comprises medialand lateral sides facing the medial malleolus and the lateral malleolus,the medial and lateral sides having an inner surface and an outersurface, at least one of the medial and lateral sides comprisingreinforcing elements, each of the reinforcing elements having a ridgeformed on one of the inner or outer surfaces and a groove registeringwith the ridge, the groove being formed on one of the inner or outersurfaces. The ankle portion may also comprise a lateral depression forreceiving the lateral malleolus and a medial depression for receivingthe medial malleolus, the lateral depression being below the medialdepression. The heel counter may also comprise reinforcing elementshaving a ridge and a groove registering with the ridge.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent byreference to the following description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention is provided herein below, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a male-female mold for formingan outer shell according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a second male-female mold forforming the outer shell;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a third male-female mold forforming the outer shell;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a fourth male-female mold forforming the outer shell;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the outer shell shown in anunfolded position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the outer shell taken at line 6-6 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the outer shell shown in a foldedposition;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the outer shell taken at line 8-8 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the outer shell shown in a foldedposition;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the outer shell shown in a foldedposition;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ice skateincorporating the outer shell constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the upper constructed inaccordance with the invention with a last and an insole;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an ice skate incorporating the skateboot constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a human foot with the contour of thefoot in stippled lines and the bones in plain lines; and

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the foot of FIG. 14.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustratedby way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that thedescription and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration andare an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definitionof the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A skate boot manufactured in accordance with the present invention isillustrated generally by reference numeral 10 in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 11, skate boot 10 comprises an upper 12 for enclosinga human foot. Upper 12 comprises an outer shell 14 and an inner lining16 mounted inside outer shell 14. Outer shell 14 illustrated in FIGS. 5to 11 is for use in a skate boot for a right foot.

Outer shell 14 is molded of synthetic material. More particularly, outershell 14 is made by thermo-pressured molding of a suitable thermoformingmaterial initially in uniform thickness sheet form such as a pre-cutsheet having a desired contour, the sheet being made of thermoformingmaterials such as those sold under the trade-mark MEGABIX® (a core ofextruded SURLYN®, a backing of SONTARA® and a hot melt coating;thickness of 0.95 mm), FORMO500® (non woven polyester with a core ofextruded polyolefinic, stiffening layers of synthetic latex on each sideand an ethylene vinyl acetate hot melt adhesive on one side; thicknessof 1.50 mm), BYLON® (a nylon multifilament with a backing of blacksaturated needle punched polyester nonwoven and a face coating ofnon-fray urethane) and MOSOCA® (NYLON® 66 with a core of SURLYN® and aPU coating).

Outer shell 14 can be made of a homogenous thermoforming syntheticmaterial or can be made of layers of different thermoforming syntheticmaterials. For example, outer shell 14 may comprise two layers, thematerial of the outer layer of shell 14 being more rigid, or moreresistant to abrasion, than the material of the inner layer of shell 14.More specifically, outer layer of shell 14 can be made of a pre-cutsheet of MOSOCA® and inner layer of shell 14 can be made of a pre-cutsheet of polystyrene, both sheets being molded together. A pre-cut sheetof polyethylene or polyurethane may also be used for inner layer ofshell 14. The outer and inner layers may be stitched together before orafter the molding operation if desired.

Inner lining 16 is made of a soft material and has an inner surface 38and an outer surface 40. Inner lining can be a fabric made of 100% nylonfibers. Inner surface 38 is intended to contact the skin of the foot inuse. Outer surface 40 of inner lining 16 is secured to outer shell 14 byaffixing means such as glue, stitches, nails, adhesives or tacks. It isunderstood that inner lining 16, being made of a soft material, is lessrigid than outer shell 14 that is molded of synthetic material beingsufficiently rigid for supporting the foot.

Skate boot 10 also includes a footbed 20, an insole 22 facing theplantar surface of the foot and an outsole 24 secured to insole 22.Insole 22 is secured to outer shell 14 with a fastener such as stitches,glue, nails, adhesives or tacks. An ice skate blade holder 26 is securedto outsole 24. It is understood that an in-line roller chassis may alsobe secured to outsole 24. Insole 22 and outsole 24 have apertures forallowing access to a locking mechanism of the ice skate blade with iceskate blade holder 26 (not illustrated).

Skate boot 10 also comprises a tongue 28 and a toe box 30 facing thetoes of the foot. Tongue 28 extends upwardly and rearwardly from toe box30 and covers the upper front portions of the foot and the ankle.Preferably, toe box 30 and tongue 28 are pre-assembled prior toinstalling into outer shell 14. The frontal edge of tongue 28 is sewndirectly to toe box 30, and then both sides of toe box 30 are secured toouter shell 14 with a fastener such as stitches, glue, nails, adhesivesor tacks. Toe box 30 may also be glued, nailed or tacked to outer shell14.

Skate boot 10 also comprises a band 32 secured to an upper portion ofouter shell 14, band 32 being made of fabric, textile or leather andcomprising apertures 34. Eyelets 36 are punched into band 32, outershell 14 and inner lining 16 vis-a-vis apertures 34. It is understoodthat the skate boot may comprise lacing loops and/or eyelets 36. Skateboot 10 may comprise a rigid insert 37 that provides more rigidity inthe ankle and heel portions of skate boot 10 and which is sandwichedbetween outer shell 14 and inner lining 16. Skate boot 10 may alsocomprise a protective overlay recovering a portion of upper 12 or a rearcover 39 secured to a rear portion of outer shell 14 (see FIG. 12).Protective overlay and rear cover 39 may be made of fabric, textile orleather.

A typical human foot is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The human foot has aheel H, an Achilles tendon AT having an upper part UP and a lower partLP that projects outwardly with relation to upper part UP, lower part LPmerging with heel H.

The foot also comprises a plantar surface PS, a medial side MS, alateral side LS, toes T, and an ankle A with a medial malleolus MM and alateral malleolus LM, lateral malleolus LM being below than medialmalleolus MM.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 10, outer shell 14 is formed of a heel counter42 receiving heel H, an ankle portion 44 receiving ankle A and medialand lateral quarters 58, 60 receiving medial and lateral sides MS, LS ofthe foot respectively. Medial and lateral quarters 58, 60 extendforwardly from heel counter 42 and ankle portion 44. Medial quarter 58comprises inner and outer surfaces 58IS and 58OS and lateral quarter 60comprises inner and outer surfaces 60IS and 60OS.

Ankle portion 44 comprises an upper part 46 and a lower part 48 thatprojects outwardly with relation to upper part 46, lower part 48 mergingwith heel counter 42. Ankle portion 44 is formed for following the rearprofile of Achilles tendon AT. More specifically, upper part 46 of ankleportion 44 follows upper part UP of Achilles tendon AT and lower part 48of ankle portion 44 follows lower part LP of Achilles tendon AT. Heelcounter 42 is substantially cup shaped for following the contour of heelH.

Ankle portion 44 also comprises medial and lateral sides 50, 52. Medialside 50 comprises inner and outer surfaces 50IS, 50OS and lateral side52 comprises inner and outer surfaces 52IS, 52OS. Medial and lateralsides 50, 52 also comprise medial and lateral depressions 54, 56respectively. Medial depression 54 receives medial malleolus MM andlateral depression 56 receives lateral malleolus LM, lateral depression56 is located slightly below medial depression 54 for conforming to themorphology of the foot.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 8 and 9, medial and lateral sides50, 52 of ankle portion 44 and medial and lateral quarters 58, 60 areadapted to conform to the general morphology of the foot. In fact, innersurfaces 50IS, 52IS of ankle portion 44 an inner surfaces 58IS and 60ISof medial and lateral quarters 58, 60 follow the sides of heel H andankle A, and medial and lateral sides MS, LS of the foot whileaccounting for statistical variations of the relative position of medialmalleolus MM and the lateral malleolus LM.

Medial and lateral quarters 58, 60 comprise quarter reinforcing elements62 and medial and lateral sides 50, 52 of ankle portion 44 compriseankle reinforcing elements 68. Referring to FIG. 6, quarter reinforcingelement 62 comprises a ridge 64 formed on outer surface 60OS of lateralquarter 60 and a groove 66 registering with ridge 64, groove beingformed on inner surface 60IS of lateral quarter 60. Referring to FIG. 8,ankle reinforcing element 68 comprises a ridge 70 formed on outersurface 52OS of lateral side 52 of ankle portion 44 and a groove 72registering with ridge 70, groove 66 being formed on inner surface 52ISof lateral side 52 of ankle portion.

Outer shell 14 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 13 comprises quarterreinforcing elements 62 that continue with ankle reinforcing elements 68for forming continuous elongated reinforcing elements on outer shell 14,these continuous elongated reinforcing elements being also formed on therear portion of ankle portion 44. Outer shell 14 also comprises heelreinforcing elements 74 that are formed on heel counter 42, heelreinforcing elements 74 being continuous with quarter reinforcingelements 62 for forming continuous elongated reinforcing elements on thesides of outer shell 14.

As reinforcing elements 62 and 68, heel reinforcing elements 74 comprisea ridge formed on the outer surface of heel counter 42 and a grooveregistering with the ridge, the groove being formed on the interiorsurface of heel counter 42.

It is understood that quarter and ankle reinforcing elements 62, 68 andquarter and heel reinforcing elements 62, 74 may be separate or formedtogether and their design may be selected for obtaining the desiredrigidity, stability and flexibility of skate boot 10. Reinforcingelements 62, 68 and 74 may or may not have the same width and height (ordepth) but their pattern is identical for the following aspect: a ridge(or projection) formed on the outer or inner surface of outer shell 14corresponds to a groove (or depression) that registers with the ridge,the groove being formed on the outer or inner surface of outer shell 14(naturally, a ridge formed on the outer surface of outer shell 14corresponds to a registered groove formed on the inner surface of outershell 14).

It is also understood that the ridge of reinforcing elements 62, 68 and74 may be formed on the interior surfaces of medial and lateral quarters58, 60, ankle portion 44 and heel counter 42 respectively while theregistered groove of reinforcing elements 62, 68 and 74 may be formed onthe outer surfaces.

Reinforcing elements 62, 68 and 74 also protect the foot from impactsdue to a puck, a ball or a stick since these elements tend to dissipatethe impact energy.

In order to manufacture outer shell 14, a pre-cut sheet ofthermoformable synthetic material is inserted into the cavity of one ofthe male-female mold shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The male and female portions of the molds define the inner and outersurfaces of outer shell 14 respectively. For instance, the male portionof the molds defines inner surfaces 50IS, 52IS of ankle portion 44 andinner surfaces 58IS, 60IS of medial and lateral quarters 58, 60 whereasthe female portion of the molds defines outer surfaces 50OS, 52OS ofankle portion 44 an outer surfaces 58OS, 60OS of medial and lateralquarters 58, 60.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, grooves and ridges are provided in the femaleand male portions of the molds while only grooves are provided in thefemale portion of the molds illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Due to thepresence of ridges in the male portions, the deformation of thesynthetic material is more important in the region of the reinforcingelements when using the molds illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. In general,the deformation of the synthetic material is less important when usingthe molds illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 than the molds illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4 since the three-dimensional shape of the latter molds ismore prominent than the one of the molds illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The pre-cut sheet is aligned and temporarily secured to one of the moldportions using any suitable means to accurately position the pre-cutsheet within the mold and maintain same in position when the mold isclosed. Once the mold is closed over the pre-cut sheet, the mold isheated up to the thermoforming temperature of the pre-cut sheet and maleand female portions are pressed against the pre-cut sheet.

As indicated above, the pre-cut sheet of outer shell 14 may be formed oflayers of different thermoforming synthetic materials. It is understoodthat the pre-cut sheet of outer shell 14 can be molded with the pre-cutsheet of inner lining 16, instead of securing inner lining 16 to outershell 14 after the molding operation of outer shell 14. Naturally, thematerial of inner lining 16 must be selected from materials that maysustain the thermoforming temperature of outer shell 14.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, heat and pressure areapplied simultaneously for a period of 15 seconds to 2 minutes afterwhich the mold is allowed to cool down so that the pre-cut sheet willset to the three-dimensional shape defined by the male and femaleportions of the mold. Preferably, heat and pressure are appliedsimultaneously for a period of 45 seconds to 1 minute. The applied heatis generally between 250° F. and 350° F., with the preferred temperaturebeing approximately 325° F. The applied pressure is generally between 75psi and 150 psi, with the preferred pressure being approximately 125psi. It is understood that the amount of time, temperature and pressuremay be different if a cooled mold is used.

By utilizing different grades of thermoformable synthetic material,different thermoformable synthetic materials or the same material withdifferent density, the designers are able to vary the mechanicalproperties of outer shell 14. Similarly, by utilizing different patternsfor reinforcing elements 62, 68 and 74 (i.e. location, number, width,height (or depth) and orientation), the designers are able to vary themechanical properties of outer shell 14. In that sense, using differentthermoformable synthetic materials and patterns of reinforcing elements62, 68 and 74, the designers are thus able to vary the flexibility,rigidity and stability of skate boot 10.

Referring now to FIG. 12, outer shell 14 also comprises a lower skirtportion 76 that is foldable to overlap a portion of insole 22. A last 78is inserted into the inside cavity of upper 12. Last 78 enables upper 12to maintain its shape when skirt portion 76 is folded to give upper 12its final shape. Last 78 is inserted into upper 12 and insole 22 ispositioned underneath last 78 inside skirt portion 76.

Once the assembly is completed, upper 12 is placed upside down into alasting machine. Glue is first applied to the bottom surface of insole22 along its periphery. Skirt portion 76 is then folded over last 78onto the bottom surface of insole 22, using the lasting machine wipers.Once folded, skirt portion 76 is bonded to insole 22 by the glue thatwas previously laid on the bottom surface of insole 22. Skirt portion 76is further nailed, stitched, or tacked all around insole 22 to providethe necessary mechanical grip to remove the pulling forces and allow theglue to properly set between skirt portion 76 and insole 22. Once skirtportion 76 is firmly attached to insole 22 and upper 12 has acquired itsfinal shape, a light sanding of the folded skirt portion 76 is performedto partially even the lower surface of upper 12 and provide a flatsurface on which outsole 24 can be glued or nailed.

The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpretedin a limiting manner since other variations, modifications andrefinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claimsand their equivalents.

1. A method of making a lasted skate boot comprising an upper forenclosing a human foot, the foot having a heel, an Achilles tendonhaving an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly withrelation to the upper part, the lower part merging with the heel, thefoot also comprising an ankle with a medial malleolus and a lateralmalleolus, a plantar surface, medial and lateral sides and toes, saidmethod comprising: (a) providing a pre-cut sheet of thermoformablesynthetic material; and (b) thermoforming said sheet of syntheticthermoformable material to form an outer shell comprising (i) a heelcounter for receiving the heel of the foot; (ii) an ankle portion forreceiving the ankle; and (iii) medial and lateral quarters for receivingthe medial and lateral sides of the foot respectively, said medial andlateral quarters extending forwardly from said heel counter and saidankle portion; wherein said ankle portion is thermoformed such that itcomprises an upper part and a lower part that projects outwardly withrelation to said upper part, said lower part merging with said heelcounter, said upper part following the upper part of the Achilles tendonand said lower part following the lower part of the Achilles tendon. 2.A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said method comprisesthermoforming said heel counter such that it is substantially cup-shapedfor following the contour of the heel of the foot.
 3. A method asdefined in claim 2, wherein said method comprises thermoforming saidankle portion such that it comprises a cup-shaped lateral depression forreceiving the lateral malleolus and a cup-shaped medial depression forreceiving the medial malleolus.
 4. A method as defined in claim 3,wherein said ankle portion is thermoformed such that it comprisesreinforcing elements having a ridge formed on one of its inner surfaceor outer surface and a groove registering with said ridge on the otherof said inner surface or outer surface.
 5. A method as defined in claim4, wherein said method comprises thermoforming said heel counter suchthat it comprises reinforcing elements having a ridge formed on one ofits inner surface or outer surface and a groove registering with saidridge on the other of the inner surface or outer surface.
 6. A method asdefined in claim 5, wherein said method comprises thermoforming saidmedial and lateral quarters such that each of said medial and lateralquarters comprises reinforcing elements having a ridge formed on one ofits inner surface or outer surface and a groove registering with saidridge on the other of said inner surface or outer surface.
 7. A methodas defined in claim 3, wherein said method comprises thermoforming saidankle portion such that said lateral depression is below said medialdepression.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein heat and pressureare applied simultaneously during the thermoforming step.
 9. A method asdefined in claim 8, wherein the applied heat is between 250° F. and 350°F. and the applied pressure is between 75 psi and 150 psi.
 10. A methodas defined in claim 1, further comprising thermoforming said sheet ofthermoformable material such that said outer shell comprises a foldablelower skirt portion.
 11. A method as defined in claim 10 furthercomprising folding said lower skirt portion over the bottom surface ofan insole and affixing said lower skirt portion to said insole.
 12. Amethod as defined in claim 11 further comprising securing an outsole tosaid insole.
 13. A method as defined in claim 12 further comprisingsecuring an ice skate blade holder to said outsole.
 14. A method asdefined in claim 12 further comprising securing an inline roller chassisto said outsole.
 15. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprisingsecuring an inner lining to said outer shell.
 16. A method as defined inclaim 10 further comprising placing said upper over a last andpositioning an insole underneath said last and inside said skirtportion.
 17. A method as defined in claim 16 further comprising foldingsaid lower skirt portion over the bottom surface of said insole andaffixing said lower skirt portion to said insole.
 18. A method asdefined in claim 17 further comprising securing an outsole to saidinsole.
 19. A method as defined in claim 18 further comprising securingan ice skate blade holder to said outsole.
 20. A method as defined inclaim 18 further comprising securing an inline roller chassis to saidoutsole.
 21. A lasted skate boot comprising an upper for enclosing ahuman foot, the foot having a heel, an Achilles tendon having an upperpart and a lower part that projects outwardly with relation to the upperpart, the lower part merging with the heel, the foot also comprising anankle with a medial malleolus and a lateral malleolus, a plantarsurface, medial and lateral sides and toes; said skate boot comprisingan outer shell made of a thermoformable synthetic pre-cut sheet that isthermoformed in a three dimensional shape such that said outer shellcomprises: (a) a heel counter for receiving the heel of the foot; (b)medial and lateral quarters for receiving the medial and lateral sidesof the foot respectively, said medial and lateral quarters extendingforwardly from said heel counter and said ankle portion; and (c) anankle portion for receiving the ankle, said ankle portion comprising anupper part shaped for following the upper part of the Achilles tendonand a lower part shaped for following the lower part of the Achillestendon, said lower part projecting outwardly with relation to said upperpart and merging with said heel counter.
 22. A lasted skate boot asdefined in claim 21, wherein said ankle portion comprises a cup-shapedlateral depression for receiving the lateral malleolus and a cup-shapedmedial depression for receiving the medial malleolus.
 23. A lasted skateboot as defined in claim 22, wherein said heel counter is substantiallycup shaped for following the contour of the heel of the foot.
 24. Alasted skate boot as defined in claim 23, wherein said cup-shapedlateral depression is below said cup-shaped medial depression.
 25. Alasted skate boot as defined in claim 21 further comprising an insolefacing the plantar surface of the foot.
 26. A lasted skate boot asdefined in claim 25, wherein said outer shell comprises a lower skirtportion foldable to overlap said insole.
 27. A lasted skate boot asdefined in claim 26, wherein said skirt portion is affixed to saidinsole.
 28. A lasted skate boot as defined in claim 27 furthercomprising a toe box facing the toes of the foot.
 29. A lasted skateboot as defined in claim 27 further comprising a tongue extendingupwardly and rearwardly from said toe box.
 30. A lasted skate boot asdefined in claim 27, wherein said skate boot further comprising aprotective overlay, said overlay recovering a portion of said medial andlateral quarters.
 31. A lasted skate boot as defined in claim 27,wherein said outer shell comprises an outer layer and an inner layer,said outer layer being more rigid than said inner layer.
 32. An iceskate comprising the lasted skate boot as defined in claim
 21. 33. Anin-line roller skate comprising the lasted skate boot as defined inclaim 21.